Access World Logistics, a joint-venture between the UAE-based Rais Hassan Saadi (RHS) Group and Switzerland-headquartered Access World Group, has carried out the ground-breaking ceremony for its upcoming third party logistics facility at Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza).

The event was attended by Mohammed Al Muallem, senior vice president and managing director, DP World UAE Region and Jafza CEO; Asim Al Abbasi, CFO of Jafza; Abdulla Bin Damithan, director commercial – DP World UAE Region; Madiha Salem, director EHS – Trakhees; other officials from various authorities, key clients, service providers and leaders from the shipping and logistics fraternity.

Saleem Al Rais, director – RHS Group; Peter M Waszkis – CEO Access World; Peter Barnhoorn, director – Access World Logistics; and other distinguished members from the RHS Group as well as Access World were also present at the event.

Waszkis said: “Our vision is to deliver value to all our stakeholders by providing comprehensive logistics solutions in a competitive, safe and friendly environment.”

The multi-product warehousing facility, scheduled to be commissioned during the second quarter 2018, is being constructed on a strategically located plot of 40,000 sq m, with an overall investment in excess of Dh40 million ($10.89 million).

The project includes a contemporary warehouse of 15,000 sq m with an apex height of 13.7 m and eaves height of 11.5 m, split into three chambers offering bulk-stowage and ambient-temperature as well as air-conditioned storage with very narrow aisle (VNA) racking systems.

The logistics centre, which is expected to meet its power requirement largely through a rooftop solar-panel system, will also have an open storage yard of about 6,500 sq m; a road weighbridge, ancillary facilities as well as an office block.

Access World operates a network of more than 100 warehouses in more than 25 locations encompassing Europe and Middle East, the Americas, Africa and Asia, providing a range of services, including but not limited to cargo handling, storage, freight forwarding, customs clearance, weighing, re-packing/processing and collateral management for commodities, and a wide range of general goods.

Formerly known as Pacorini Metals and operating in the UAE since 2001, Access World is a subsidiary of the London Stock Exchange-listed Glencore.

Founded in 1910, the Rais Hassan Saadi Group ranks among the leading commercial enterprises in Dubai, with interests in ship agency, freight forwarding, NVOCC (non-vessel operating common carrier), logistics,  warehousing and bonded CFS (container freight station), insurance, travel and tourism, trading, real estate and oil field support services. The RHS Group has an excellent network of own offices and agents in the Gulf countries, the Indian sub-continent and East Africa.

Kishore Natarajan, general manager – Access World Logistics, added that the upcoming facility shall be listed with the LME, DGCX and in addition to non-ferrous metals, steel, OCTG, polymers, other industrial goods, the company will provide efficient logistics solutions for soft commodities, FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods)/retail products, machinery and spares, project and general cargo. - TradeArabia News Service